From Patriarchy to Empowerment: Women’s Participation, Movements, and Rights in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia

Gender and Globalization

by Valentine M. Moghadam (Editor)

This rich anthology offers twenty studies on instances of emerging social justice and women's empowerment in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. These areas are home to huge populations where women's rights have withered under patriarchal rule, and many are beset by civic unrest.

The book shows how changes are occurring as flood tides of capital, people, and information erode entrenched gender regimes, giving birth to energetic and forward-thinking women's movements. Highly original, conceptually sophisticated, and imminently readable, this book illustrates how local women are transforming their collective fates by questioning their status, forming alliances, demanding full participation in economic development and the political process, and mining opportunities afforded by globalization.

Genres: Feminism

432 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2007

About the author

Valentine Moghadam (born 1952) is a feminist scholar, sociologist, activist, and author, whose work focuses on women in development, globalization, feminist networks, and female employment in the Middle East.

She has taught and performed research at various institutions of higher education, most recently as Professor of Sociology and Director of International Affairs at Northeastern University. Previously she held the position of Director of the Women’s Studies Program at Purdue University, where she was also a Professor of Sociology. Prior to that appointment, Moghadam worked for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as the chief of gender equality and development.

(from Wikipedia)